Caring messages for someone special

She was crowned the Chronicle’s Mum of the Year for being the strength to her family as she pulled her husband and twins through life-threatening illnesses. But now caring Jenny Thirlaway has died of bowel cancer and left a message to her family and friends telling them to “get yourself into a bar and order yourself an amaretto sour and toast love, kindness, friendship and fun”. The mum-of-two wrote the poignant words just before she died and posted her message on her blog called ‘Elvis may have left the building but Jenny is in no hurry to leave the bloc’. And after working up almost 3,000 Facebook followers after receiving her diagnosis last year, hundreds have left their messages of support and condolence as her family get ready for her funeral. Jenny leaves husband Scott, 44, and their nine-year-old twins Jack and Molly. But, even in the most sorrow of circumstances, she was determined to bring a smile to her followers’ faces. In her final … [Read more...] about The moving last message from inspirational mum as she loses cancer battle

No parent dreams their baby will be born extremely ill and have to instantly start fighting for their life - but when it does happen it is down to a certain group of specialist doctors and nurses to save them. The staff of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Bristol's Southmead Hospital are one such team, caring every day for the most sick newborns. As a unit they are capable of caring for the most at risk babies and for that reason they look after newborns from across the South West. Tiny premature babies who end up in either intensive care, high dependency or special care rooms are placed in the safe hands of neonatologists, neonatal nurses, consultants, respiratory therapists and a host of other vital members of staff. Between them they carry out life-saving round-the-clock care to hundreds of babies and families every year. So, we asked Kirsty, 30, supervisory sister, Fiona, 60 and Jennifer, 58, advanced neonatal nurse practitioners and Cathy, 50, infant feeding specialist … [Read more...] about What it’s like to care for premature babies

Gary Southwell and his son Connor. PHOTO: Connor Southwell Archant We asked our staff and readers to tell as a little bit about what makes their dads special. Roy Elliott of Fakenham. PHOTO Lisa Elliott Dads come in all shapes and sizes but the ones here all have something in common – their children think they’re great. Often playing the parts of “Dad’s taxis”, “the bank of Dad”, and “Mr. Fixit”, these dads have been there for their sons and daughters through the good times and the bad. As the popular phrase goes: “Anyone can be a father but it takes someone special to be a dad”. Georgeia Mcgregor’s dad Chris Lown (47) from Harleston “My step dad Chris Lown is great. Not only is he a super handy man and fab fun cub leader in Harleston, he has also been so supportive through my marriage break up these last few weeks and an even better granddad to my son. We are both so lucky.” Darren Nicholson and … [Read more...] about Here are the messages our readers sent in for their dads

The number of people being hospitalised for self-harm is on the rise in Plymouth, with two people admitted a day last year. The latest figures from Public Health England have revealed that there were 748 occasions when someone was put in hospital in the city for self-harming in 2016-17. That’s up from 713 the year before - and the highest number on record. Between 2011/12 to 2013/14, the number of people being hospitalised for intentionally hurting themselves was declining, going from 662 people to 591. But by 2014/15 the figures shot back up to 664, and have continue to rise higher than ever before for the city. Nationally, women and girls are much more likely to be hospitalised for self-harming than men and boys, with 65,261 females admitted over the course of the year compared to 38,449 males. The same is true across Plymouth, with 489 women and girls hospitalised in 2016-17 compared to 259 men and boys. Across England, someone was hospitalised after intentionally hurting … [Read more...] about Two people hospitalised for self-harm every DAY in Plymouth

GEMMA Oaten proved things are still going strong with her panto lover as she flew out to Spain to see him. The former Emmerdale actress got together with Stuart Earp while he was apparently engaged to another woman, and has continued seeing him despite the drama. Stuart has maintained that his previous relationship had ended prior to meeting Gemma. Last weekend the 34-year-old jetted out to Salou, near Barcelona, where the jobbing actor is currently working – and declared her love for him. Sharing a series of pictures of him online, she gushed: “Ah god. So proud! Bloody love you. You’re amazing.” In another message she told him he was her “favourite”, to which he replied: “Love you.” The actress replied: “Love you more.” A source told The Sun Online: “Gemma is head over heels and flew out to see Stuart in Spain as soon as she got the chance. “The romance might have got off to an interesting start thanks … [Read more...] about Gemma Oaten flies out to Spain to visit panto lover as pair declare their love for each other